Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: diagnostic and treatment challenges

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a pulmonary disorder, occurring mostly in asthmatic and cystic fibrosis patients, caused by an abnormal T-helper 2 lymphocyte response of the host to Aspergillus fumigatus antigens. ABPA diagnosis is defined by clinical, laboratory and radiological criteria including active asthma, immediate skin reactivity to A. fumigatus antigens, total serum IgE levels>1000 IU/mL, fleeting pulmonary parenchymal opacities and central bronchiectases that represent an irreversible complication of ABPA. Despite advances in our understanding of the role of the allergic response in the pathophysiology of ABPA, pathogenesis of the disease is still not completely clear. In addition, the absence of consensus regarding its prevalence, diagnostic criteria and staging limits the possibility of diagnosing the disease at early stages. This may delay the administration of a therapy that can potentially prevent permanent lung damage. Long-term management is still poorly studied. Present primary therapies, based on clinical experience, are not yet standardized. These consist in oral corticosteroids, which control acute symptoms by mitigating the allergic inflammatory response, azoles and, more recently, anti-IgE antibodies. The latter two are used as a steroid-sparing agent to prolong the remission stage of the disease. Anti-IgE antibodies also have immunomodulatory properties. At present, the only way to bypass these limits and allow for an early diagnosis, is to assume ABPA in all patients with difficult-to-control asthma or cystic fibrosis. They should then be screened for sensitization to A. fumigatus antigens and, if positive, monitored more closely. Future controlled studies are needed to standardize present therapy, standardize cut-off values of various investigations, define the role of different novel immunomodulatory therapies, define the role of novel assays (such as recombinant A. fumigatus antigens and CCL17) and confirm new diagnostic and staging criteria

O desafio da interculturalidade para o ensino jurídico

1º Congresso Internacional Epistemologias do Sul: perspectivas críticas - 7 a 9 de novembro de 2016, realizada pela Universidade Federal da Integração Latino-Americana (UNILA).Refletir sobre o que é o direito para a realidade brasileira e, mais do que isso, o que representa formar um profissional e um cidadão que irá atuar nessa área, torna-se uma tarefa indispensável para uma participação ativa da construção de uma sociedade mais justa e igualitária. O direito detém um lugar privilegiado entre os campos do saber que mais influenciam a vida cotidiana das pessoas. Não apenas pelo alto conteúdo de política contido em suas categorias, mas pela longo alcance de seus conceitos, que permeiam em grande medida o entendimento corrente de questões presentes na vida de todas as pessoas, independente da classe social, etnia, crença, etc

Choice modelling embedded in marketing relationships

Continuation versus defection decisions are rarely a neutral process for consumers. Although previous research has recognized the key role of emotions in such process, it has not directly formulated models of choice based on affective constructs. This dissertation develops and empirically tests such model using discrete choice experimental data. The conceptual model incorporates sellers’ extra effort and work (e.g., adaptation of policies, provision of small favors or considerations) into a traditional choice model, and shows how such efforts unfold in consumer black box as well as influences behavioral outcomes. Specifically, I propose that benefits received throughout interpersonal interactions create a self-other trade-off, which is processed by a specific social-emotional process. Across three studies, the dissertation demonstrates that the social-emotional process mediates the effect of seller efforts on defection utility, and such process is activated only when benefits are received thought interpersonal interactions. Also, the current results demonstrate that the role of emotions on preferences is highly malleable, that is, the same social emotion can both promote or inhibit defection behaviors. Overall, the work offers theoretical insights and methodological guidelines for research on the role of emotions on choice situations. In particular, marketing research should avoid claiming fixed relations between discrete emotions and consumer preferences or prioritize more valenced-based approaches in discrete choice frameworks.Decisões que envolvem continuação versus deserção raramente são um processo neutro para os consumidores. Embora pesquisas anteriores tenham reconhecido o papel fundamental das emoções em tal processo, elas não formularam diretamente modelos de escolha baseados em construtos afetivos. Esta tese desenvolve e testa empiricamente tal modelo usando dados experimentais de escolha discreta. O modelo conceitual incorpora o esforço e trabalho extra dos vendedores (p.ex., adaptação de políticas, provisão de pequenos favores ou considerações) em um modelo de escolha tradicional, e mostra como tais esforços se desdobram dentro da caixa preta do consumidor, bem como influenciam os resultados comportamentais. Especificamente, é proposto que os benefícios recebidos ao longo das interações interpessoais criam um trade-off entre “Eu” e “Outro”, o qual é avaliado por um processo socioemocional específico. Através de três estudos, a dissertação demonstra que o processo socioemocional medeia o efeito dos esforços do vendedor na utilidade da deserção, e tal processo é ativado apenas quando os benefícios são recebidos por meio de interações interpessoais. Além disso, os resultados demonstram que o papel das emoções nas preferências em situações de escolha é altamente maleável, ou seja, a mesma emoção social pode promover ou inibir comportamentos de deserção. No geral, o trabalho oferece insights teóricos e diretrizes metodológicas para a pesquisa sobre o papel das emoções em situações de escolha. Em particular, a pesquisa em marketing deve evitar alegar relações fixas entre emoções específicas e preferências do consumidor ou priorizar abordagens mais baseadas em valência em análises de escolha discreta

The prison government in the last Argentinean civil-military dictatorship: the political women prisoners experience (Villa Devoto, 1975-1981)

El objetivo del artículo es describir el régimen de gobierno carcelario implementado por el servicio penitenciario y las fuerzas armadas en la cárcel de Villa Devoto durante la última dictadura cívico-militar argentina. Se analizan las características que adquiere el gobierno de la cárcel cuando trata con una población específica, las presas políticas. La fuente empírica es la Colección Cartas de la Dictadura (Biblioteca Nacional), con lo cual el análisis parte de la propia experiencia y voz de las mujeres que allí se encontraban prisioneras.The objective of the paper is to describe the prison government system implemented by penitentiary service and the armed forces on Villa Devoto prison during the last Argentinean civil-military dictatorship. The characteristics acquired by prison government when dealing with a specific population, the political women prisoners, are analyzed. The empirical resource is the Dictatorship Letters Collection (National Library), thus the analysis start from the women prisoner own experience and voice.Fil: Laitano, María Guillermina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Humanidades. Departamento de Historia. Centro de Estudios Históricos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

INTERVENTIONS AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH OPPOSITIONAL DIFIANT DISORDER: A SCOPING REVIEW

This research project aims to explore and identify empirical evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). This study will highlight evidence-based, non-pharmaceutical type interventions discussed in current research, the significance and potential impact it has on the field of social work, and the way in which this scoping review will be conducted. ODD is a type of childhood disruptive behavior disorder in which children show ongoing patterns of uncooperative, defiant, argumentative, and hostile behaviors. ODD is among the most commonly diagnosed mental health conditions in children. Early intervention and treatment are important since various risk factors can result if the condition is not addressed. If left untreated, children with ODD are at risk of developing a more serious disruptive behavior disorder and potentially an antisocial personality disorder in adulthood. Research indicates that behaviorally oriented, non-pharmacological interventions that focus on the causes of disruptive behaviors typically result in positive outcomes. The data and research used for this scoping review will focus on existing relevant literature that discuss types of non-pharmacological interventions

El corte de los modelos de volumen utilizados para el cálculo por elementos finitos

En este trabajo se presenta un método para calcular y representar el corte de modelos tridimensionales. Para representar resultados se debe previamente determinar una superficie. En el caso de la representación de valores en cortes del modelo, esta superficie es la intersección con el plano de corte. En este trabajo se describe un método rápido y simple para el cálculo de la sección así como el método empleado para la interpolación de los valores a representar.In this work, a method to compute section of 3D finite element models is presented. A surface of model must be evaluate to represent any results. In the section representation, this surface is the intersection with the section plane. A simple and fast method to determine section model and to interpolate results is here developed.Peer Reviewe

Myynninedistäminen mainonna avulla

Opinnäytetyössä etsittiin tehokkaita myynninedistämisen keinoja Select Service Partner Finlandin lentokentällä sijaitsevaan elintarvikekioski Pointtiin. Tutkimusongelmana oli selvittää, millainen mainos tehoaa asiakkaisiin kyseisessä toimintaympäristössä sekä millaisia tuotteita kannattaisi mainostaa tai laittaa tarjoukseen. Myynninedistämisprojektin aloitushetkellä syksyllä 2009 Point oli ollut nykyisessä muodossaan noin vuoden, eivätkä kaikki potentiaaliset asiakkaat olleet vielä löytäneet sitä. Pointtia oli tarkoitus tehdä nykyistä tunnetummaksi kentän henkilökunnan ja matkustajien keskuudessa. Myynnin kasvun edellytettiin tapahtuvan niin, että raaka-aine ja henkilöstökulut pysyivät ennallaan. Projektin teoreettinen viitekehys rakentuu asiakassuuntaisesta markkinoinnista, myynninedistämisestä ja mainonnan käytössä olevista muodoista sekä kilpailukeinoista. Vaikka opinnäytetyö käsittelee konkreettisesti myynnin kasvattamista nimenomaan mainonnan avulla, työssä tarkastellaan myös asiakaspalvelun teoriaa työntekijän mahdollisuutena edistää tarjoustuotteiden myyntiä. Point kioskille suunniteltiin erilaisia mainoksia ja pakettitarjouskampanjoita sekä muunlaista myynninedistämismateriaalia kuten grilli- ja pullapassit. Mainokset sekä materiaalit suunniteltiin ja laitettiin esille ajanjaksolla syksystä 2009 syksyyn 2010. Mainostettujen tuotteiden myyntilukuja verrattiin kassajärjestelmästä saatavien raportointitaulukoiden avulla. Vertailukohteena olivat mainoksia edeltäneet ja niiden jälkeen toteutuneet myyntiluvut. Tulosten tulkintamenetelmänä käytettiin dokumenttianalyysiä, jossa kvantitatiivinen aineisto analysoitiin kvalitatiivisesti. Lopuksi tuloksia analysoimalla pääteltiin, minkälainen mainonta olisi kannattavaa jatkossa kyseisessä toimipisteessä. Lisäksi Pointin esimiehelle tehtiin asiantuntijahaastattelu tukemaan saatuja tuloksia. Tuloksista selviää, että pitkäaikaiset pakettitarjoukset eivät juuri tehonneet asiakkaisiin. Palautteita ja myyntilukuja seuraamalla kannattavampaa olisi tulevaisuudessa mainostaa lyhytaikaisia selkeästi tarjoushintaisia tuotteita tai määräalennuksia. Mainoksien laittaminen näkyville myös myymälässä olevan television kautta voisi olla kokeilemisen arvoista jatkossa. Passit ja kioskin seinillä olevat tuotteita esittelevät mainokset todettiin toimiviksi kyseisessä toimipisteessä. Matkustavien asiakkaiden houkutteluun tehokas keino voisi olla mainoslehtisten jako ylemmän kerroksen kahvilaan. Pointin myynti on saatu kasvamaan projektiin käytetyn vuoden aikana 10,44 prosenttia. Tuloksen perusteella voidaan päätellä, että tavoitteeseen on päästy ja saatu myynti kääntymään kasvuun.This thesis investigates successful sales promotion methods for Select Service Partner Finland’s Kiosk, Point, which is located at the airport. The purpose of the study was to find out what type of advertisement is effective for customers in this environment and which products are worth to be placed on sales and in advertisements. When the project began Kiosk Point had been in its format for a year and all the potential customers had not found it. The objective of the project was to gain visibility among airport staff and passengers. Sales needed to be increased without having an effect on the material and staff costs. The theoretical section of the thesis outlines customer marketing, sales promoting as well as the means of advertisement and competition. Although this thesis concretely processes the increase of sales as a result of advertisement it also examines customer service in theory and employee’s’ possibility to increase the marketing of products that are on sale. Different forms of advertisements and sales campaigns were drawn up for the Point Kiosk and also sales promotion materials like grill and bun passes were created. Advertisements and materials were planned and introduced from fall 2009 to fall 2010. The sales figures of the advertised products were compared with cash desk reports. The compared objects were the sales figures before and after advertisement. The study is based on a document analysis where quantitative material is qualitatively analyzed. The format of advertisement for this appropriate kiosk was derived from the results. Point’s superior was interviewed to support the results of the study. The results show that long term sales were not affected by customer buying behavior. Based on the feedback and sales figures, it would be worthwhile to advertise products for a short period or use different sales campaigns. Advertising on the kiosk’s television should be considered in the future. Passes and advertisements on walls of the kiosk were functional. Placing advertisements at the upstairs coffee shop might bring more customers to Point. Point’s sale has increased by 10.44 percent during the project. As can be seen from the results the thesis reached its objective and the sales are increasing

Current-voltage characteristic of parallel-plane ionization chamber with inhomogeneous ionization

The balances of particles and charges in the volume of parallel-plane ionization chamber are considered. Differential equations describing the distribution of current densities in the chamber volume are obtained. As a result of the differential equations solution an analytical form of the current-voltage characteristic of parallel-plane ionization chamber with inhomogeneous ionization in the volume is got.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Consumer Market for Functional Foods in South Brazil

This study aims at investigating the consumer market for functional foods (FF) in Porto Alegre, South Brazil. Functional food is any healthy food claimed to have a health-promoting or disease-preventing property beyond the basic function of supplying nutrients. Health has been named as the most significant trend and innovation driver in the global food and drinks market. Brazil is one of the leading countries in food production and consumption, and the market for functional foods have been growing 10% per year, three times more than the market for conventional foods. Although this food category is considered mature in some developed markets (such as in Japan, in the Nordic countries and in the U.S), it is still unknown for many consumers, especially those located in developing countries. On the other hand, functional foods has been attracting the attention of multinationals and local food industries in Brazil, since innovation can significantly impact on their competitive advantages. Therefore, in this study, first we are going to identify the availability of functional food products in the local retail market, through observation techniques. Our aim is to confront consumers’ needs with local food companies’ market supply. Secondly, we investigate consumers’ motivations, attitudes and intention to buy functional foods, since the market demands a better understanding of this trend. A survey with 450 consumers was conducted and provided quantitative insights. Results indicate that the market for functional foods in Rio Grande do Sul is incipient, but it is developing fast. There are few local functional food products in the market, but those are attractive to consumers and indicate promising opportunities. The survey shows that interviewed consumers presented positive attitudes towards functional foods and enough purchasing power to buy it. Dieticians, nutritionists and other health professionals have high credibility and could help inform consumers about the benefits of particular categories of functional foods. Food industry itself is not regarded as the most trustworthy source, what indicates the need of more attention to this fact from a corporate point of view. Finally, this study shows that the understanding of Brazilian consumers is fundamental to help food companies define their strategies. To map the most accepted categories of functional foods is also important, aiming to avoid the "tentative and error" approach

Proactive analysis for the construction of accessible web environments in higher education

Se presenta un estudio preliminar sobre las barreras socio-tecnológicas que presentan las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación utilizadas por personas con discapacidad visual. Desde el marco conceptual del Dispositivo Hipermedial Dinámico, se adopta un enfoque sistémico complejo. Se toma como caso de estudio el Campus Virtual de la Universidad Nacional de Rosario (Argentina). Para el análisis se introdujo la noción Accesibilidad-DHD, que integra aspectos técnicos y sociales sobre la conformación de redes socio-técnicas educativas. Los resultados preliminares confirman que las personas con discapacidad visual se encuentran en desventaja en cuanto a su participación, constatándose la necesidad de ponderar el carácter socio-organizacional de la problemática sobre la accesibilidad.Fil: Rodriguez, Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Rosario. Centro Internacional Franco Argentino de Ciencias de la Información y Sistemas; ArgentinaFil: Laitano, María Inés. Universite de Paris; FranciaFil: Andres, Gonzalo Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Rosario. Centro Internacional Franco Argentino de Ciencias de la Información y Sistemas; Argentin